Tape dispenser



' TAPE DISPENSER Filed May `2`5, 194e Patented Nov. 2," 1948 UNITED NSlT-ME s Pixis-Nr `1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to a device for dispensing adhesive tape of the pressure-sensitive type.

More particularly, the invention relates to a novel construction of cutting unit for such a dispenser for severing any desired length of the tape from the roll contained in the dispenser.

An object of the invention is to provide such tape severing means which will permit the eicient and accurate severance of any desired length of the tape from the roll and will maintain the free end of the remaining portion of the tape in position for ready grasping and thereafter unwinding from the roll of an additional length of tape which is to be dispensed.

In accordance with my invention I pro-vide, in a dispenser for adhesive tape of the pressure-sensitve type, a stationary knife, preferably having a serrated cutting edge, which knife is fixed to a standard positioned in advance of the roll of tape retained within the dispenser, and a movable support for the tape immediately rearwardly of the cutting edge of the knife, which movable support is depressible when the tape is being severed, the movement of the tape support being induced along a cam surface and which movement will cause a slight flexing of the knife as the tape is severed by its cutting edge.

Specifically, my novel construction resides in the provision of a standard, integral with the frame or body of the dispenser, which standard has a cam surface at its upper extremity along which cam surface is adapted to ride a supporting member for the length of tape immediately rearwardly of the length being severedl by the knife. The portion of the tape which is being severed is thus permitted to be depressed to a suflcient extent to permit efficient and accurate severance of any desired length of the tape. The movable surface upon which the tape is supported rides up on the cam surface to a sucient extent to leave the leading edge of the successive length of tape in position for ready grasping for the subsequent movement forwardly of another desired length of tape over the cutting edge of the knife.

The advantages of my novel construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the specific embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a tape dispenser constructed `in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail front View of the spring knife mechanism and movable tape support; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged top view of the spring knife mechanism and movable tape support.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 6 designates the dispenser body, of preferably cast metal construction, having a base I of rubber, felt, or other material having a surface-gripping characteristic, which body may take any conventional fcrm, not particularly the quasi-pyramidal outline illustrated, but which has an open side and a central hub 8 for receiving a conventional roll 9 of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape I0. The leading edge of such roll of tape is passed through an opening II of the dispenser body and then over the standard or hump I2 of the dispenser body, where it rests upon the spring knife mechanism and movable support, whereby any desired length of the tape is adapted to be severed and dispensed as hereinafter described.

The standard or hump l2 of the dispenser body is so configured that the upper portion thereof constitutes a cam surface I3 upon which rides a transversely extending cradle I4 having a rounded upper surface I5, two upwardly extending ears I6, and a slot I'I through which extends a knife I8 secured to the body of the dispenser by screw I9. The knife I8 has its upper edge serrated as shown at 20. The upper portion 2I of the knife is wider than its depending body portion, so that it extends throughout the inner surface of the cradle I4 formed by the turned up forward edge of such cradle with the vertical portion thereof extending between such turned up forward edge and the rounded upper surface of the cradle structure.

The cradle structure thus constitutes a movable support for the tape and is permitted to ride upwardly and downwardly upon the cam surface i3 of the standard I2 of the dispenser body as hereinafter described.

rThe operation of any novel tape dispenser is as follows:

The leading edge II) of the tape is grasped by the fingers and the desired length of the material which is to be dispensed is unwound from the roll 9 of the tape. Upon a slight pressure downwardly of the leading edge of the tape I0, the transversely extending cradle rounded upper surface I5 of which the` tape is positioned, will be depressed a sufficient extent to ride along the cam surface I3, causing the spring knife I8 to be flexed to a slight degree about the screw I9 as its pivot. The serrated cutting edge 2D of the blade is then effective to sever the desired length of tape. As the severed length of tape is removed from the dispenser, the knife blade springs back to its original vertical position by the riding of the cradle structure I4 upwardly along the cam surface I3, retaining the leading edge of the tape in its position upon the rounded surface I5 of the cradle and in position to be grasped by the fingers at its leading edge along the serrated knife blade.

I claim:

In a device for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, a support for a roll of tape, a frame in which said roll of tape is rotatably mounted I4, upon the upon said support, a standard formed on said frame spaced from said roll of tape and having a cam surface at the upper extremity thereof, a spring knife structure secured to the front surface of said standard and extending upwardly 5 beyond said cam surface, and a cradle structure constituting a movable support for the tape extending from said roll over the cutting edge of the spring knife structure, whereby the knife is exed forwardly of the cam surface while the 10 tape is being severed by the cutting edge.

EDWIN W. MASON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

